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Hundreds participate during Annual Youth Fishing Derby Saturday

Trophies were awarded for first, second and third place in three age categories for largest fish and most caught fish.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — The City of San Angelo Recreation Division and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partnered to host the Annual Youth Fishing Derby Saturday morning.

On Friday, the Concho River was stocked with catfish and other types of fish in preparation for the Youth Fishing Derby and the annual free fishing Saturday.

According to Sandra Aguilar, recreations supervisor, the Youth Fishing Derby has been going on for approximately 10 years.

“Our purpose is to bring out the youth today and would be a free fishing day,” Aguilar said. “Really to kick off the summer too and bring them out to enjoy the morning and come do the competition.

On Saturday, the largest fish caught was approximately 15 1/8 inches long and was caught by one of the under-six category participants.

For Aguilar, it is important to have events such as the derby because it allows people to come out and enjoy the activities the recreational City of San Angelo hosts.

“After going through this pandemic and we’re still going through, it’s great that we can come back outside, enjoy our river here in San Angelo,” Aguilar said. “Something that a lot of cities don’t necessarily have.”

For Michael Morales and his four-year-old daughter, Saturday was the first time they participated in the fishing derby.

“She loves to go fishing,” Morales said. “We’ve been fishing at the coast, and she caught a couple of good ones there, so we thought we’d try here at the river.”

Morales and his daughter used worms and hot dog Franks as bait. “It seems to be working, he said. “We’ve caught three catfish already.”

David Kelley and his son were also first-time participants at Saturday’s fishing derby. Kelley said he decided to participate because his son loves to fish.

Kelley and his son used worms as bait and only caught one fish. “No, we have not caught anything,” he said.

Kelley said it is all about the experience and plans to come back for the next fishing derby.

Awards were given in three age categories, one to six, 7 to 12 and 13 to 17 for first, second and third place for largest fish caught and most fish caught.

The winners are as follows:

Largest fish

Ages one to six:

  • Frist Place - Allyana Morales - 15 3/8 inches
  • Second Place – Grayson Galindo - 14 ½ inches
  • Third Place – Garrett Galindo -13 ½ inches

Ages 13-17

  • First Place – Carter Rodriguez - 14 1/2 inches
  • Second Place – Gaby Vigil -13 ½ inches
  • Third Place – Aaron Lewis - 13 ¼ inches

Ages 13-17

  • First Place – DJ Munoz - 14 5/8 inches
  • Second Place – Dakayla Jackson - 11 ¾ inches
  • Third Place -Andrew Arredondo - 4 ½ inches

Most fish caught:

Ages one to six:

  • Frist Place - Allyana Morales - 7
  • Second Place – Bowen Winger - 7
  • Third Place – Aaron Hullet - 6

Ages 13-17

  • First Place – Maryann Barron -17
  • Second Place – Aaron Lewis -10
  • Third Place – Gaby Vigil - 5

Ages 13-17

  • First Place – Dakayla Jackson - 2
  • Second Place – Andrew Arredondo - 2
  • Third Place – DJ Munoz -1 .

Following the event participants, and attendees were given free ice cream.

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